Bird Photography by Kay Ekwall

California Quail/Callipepla californica

I took these pictures right out my front window one day. This was the first time and only time Quail appeared in my area around the house. Though we are in Oregon, these beautiful birds don't stay in California even though they are named 'California Quail'.

California Quail are about 10 " high approximately. The male is plump with a black face and chin. Prominent tear-drop shaped plume on the forehead. The scaled appearrance is on the belly, light brown to white with a pale brown forehead. the female is similar to the male but lacks the black face and chin.

More information can be found on the Cornell lab of Orinthology here